Best Scholarships for Nursing Students – Upcoming Deadlines in 2025

About Scholarships for Nursing Students

Nursing is a critical profession, a fact only accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the essential work that nurses perform each day, their contributions often go unacknowledged, and students may not feel encouraged to pursue a career in nursing.

Demand for nurses is expected to increase by 15% in 2024. Meanwhile, a growing nursing shortage threatens the public health of the United States.

As many nurses from the Baby Boomer generation retire, not enough new nurses are entering the field to replace them. There are currently around 3.9 million nurses, and by 2030, almost 1 million of them are expected to have retired. Encouraging undergraduate nursing students and students in graduate nursing programs to continue on their career paths is imperative to providing adequate healthcare to all Americans.

For context, in Intensive Care Units with a below-target amount of nurses, mortality rates rose by 2% to 7%, and mortality increased by 12% for non-ICU patients. A shortage of nurses also creates overcrowding in emergency rooms, a problem that 92% of emergency departments are already experiencing, which leads to longer waiting times that can prove to be fatal for patients in need.

To slow this growing shortage and to incentivize prospective nursing students to continue on their path, there are numerous nursing scholarships available to support high school, undergraduate, and graduate nursing students looking to supplement their nursing education.

To help you and other students pursuing a career in nursing, we’ve created this list of exclusive scholarships available on Bold.org. To get started on your path to financial success and public health, click on one of the above scholarships, create your unique Bold.org profile, and start sending in your applications!

How are Nursing Scholarships Important to Public Health?

Nurses are essential in maintaining public health, but a significant shortage of nurses is mounting in the United States. As the abundant baby boomer generation retires, the number of Americans who are over 65 years old is reaching all-time highs, with 71 million in 2019 compared to only 41 million in 2011. Nursing shortages will continue to grow as time passes, especially since one-third of registered nurses are over the age of 50 and will be retiring in the coming years.

To help reduce the deficit, many scholarships are available for nursing students to encourage them to complete their degrees and advance in the medical world to provide for the public. Scholarships for nursing students are essential to propel budding nurses into their field without burdening them with student loan debt that plagues most of the student population. Additionally, the importance of nurses and other medical professionals has more recently been made abundantly clear over the course of the pandemic.

How to Qualify for Nursing Scholarships

To have the best chance of winning a scholarship, applicants must put time and energy into their essays or other submissions. When applying for nursing scholarships, make sure you meet all of the eligibility criteria of each scholarship so you know your application will count.

Plan to Pursue Nursing in College or Be Currently Working on a Nursing Degree

Some scholarships are only open to students pursuing a nursing program already, but others are open to students who plan to study nursing in the future. Either way, earning a nursing degree must be something you're interested to apply for nursing scholarships.

Find the Right Scholarships for Your Education Level

Scholarships vary in the education level that they cater to. Some scholarships are specifically for students enrolled currently in a nursing degree, such as undergraduate students or graduate students. However, others are open to all high school students or specifically for high school seniors. To find the right scholarships, browse by education level.

There are many different types of certifications and licenses students can pursue in nursing, and each are will have its own scholarships and opportunities. Apply for Certified Nursing Assistant scholarships or nurse practitioner scholarships, depending on your interest!

Check Each Scholarship's Specific Eligibility Requirements

In addition to education level, some scholarships have additional requirements that applicants must meet. Eligible applicants may need to demonstrate financial need, have a certain GPA, have a certain gender, like scholarships for women, etc. Always read all of the eligibility requirements of a scholarship before spending your time applying. 

Types of Scholarships Available for Nursing Students

To encourage more students to pursue a degree in nursing, there are many nursing scholarships that offer financial assistance. Types of scholarships available include essay-based scholarships, no-essay scholarships, scholarships for high school students, and scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. No matter what scholarships you're looking for, you'll be able to find opportunities on Bold.org.

How to find nursing scholarships

To find the perfect scholarships, utilize the filter features when browsing scholarships on Bold.org. This will allow you to sort scholarships based on education level, amount, category, and date added, and you can even choose to see only no-essay scholarships. The healthcare category is a great place to start, but Bold.org has hundreds of open scholarships, so don't stop there!

When to Start Applying for Nursing Scholarships

High school is a wonderful time to start planning how you will finance your college degree. However, if you are just discovering your passion for nursing while in college, don't worry! It's never too late to start taking advantage of the financial support that scholarships offer. Even if you're already working on a graduate degree, there are scholarships available for you.

If you've graduated or are taking a break from school, you can even apply for grants to pay off your student debt! No matter your situation, there are scholarships for you.

What to Consider When Applying for Nursing Scholarships

When applying for scholarships, keep in mind what donors are looking for in winning applications. Make sure you're putting your best foot forward so you can increase your chances of winning. However, also remember that scholarships often receive many applicants, so don't be discouraged if you don't win. Keep reading for our tips on winning nursing scholarships.

How to Apply for Scholarships for Nursing Students

Scholarship requirements vary, but each scholarship on Bold.org will have the eligibility criteria listed, as well as any instructions for submitting your application. Most scholarships will require an essay, so just follow the prompt and click apply. No-essay scholarships are even easier, often just requiring a couple of clicks to submit your application.

Tips for Winning Scholarships for Nursing Students

It's no secret that paying for college and searching for scholarships can feel stressful. With your busy schedule, hunting for scholarships and putting in the necessary effort to apply can feel impossible, especially considering the competition you're facing. Luckily we're here to help with the best tips for winning scholarships.

Submit Focused, Polished Essays

No-essay scholarships are great when you're short on time, but essay-based scholarships offer you more control over your application, giving you the opportunity to establish a connection with the donor.

When writing scholarship essays, have a strong opening that grabs the reader's attention. Stay focused on the prompt and be sure to answer all aspects of it. Scholarship essays generally have low word limits, so you don't have much space to get your point across. Make sure you stay on topic and utilize your words efficiently. Finally, try to include a short conclusion that wraps up your essay. Then, just proofread and submit!

Make Your Application Personal and Detailed

When asked to submit an essay or other application materials, such as a picture or video, make sure your application is unique, detailed, and gives a sense of your unique personality. Doing so will ensure that you stand out to the donor and give yourself the best odds of winning. Additionally, make sure that your Bold.org profile is also detailed and personal, especially if you're applying for no-essay scholarships that don't require any application materials.